The term for the division of government power among three branches is?

The term for the division of government power among three branches is?

• A. Separation of powers
• B. Checks and balances
• C. Federalism
• D. Popular sovereignty

Answer: (A)

This item is testing how government powers are organized. The idea of separation of powers means the government’s duties are split into three branches: one makes laws, another enforces them, and a third interprets them. Keeping these functions in different parts of government helps prevent any one group from accumulating too much authority and creates a built-in system of accountability. Think of it as a balance where each branch has its own job, and they can check or overlap with each other to keep power from concentrating. That’s why this term fits best for describing the division of power among three branches. For contrast, checks and balances describes how those branches interact to keep each other in check, but the core idea asked about is the division itself. Federalism is about power sharing between national and state governments, and popular sovereignty is the principle that the people are the ultimate source of governmental authority.

This item is testing how government powers are organized. The idea of separation of powers means the government’s duties are split into three branches: one makes laws, another enforces them, and a third interprets them. Keeping these functions in different parts of government helps prevent any one group from accumulating too much authority and creates a built-in system of accountability.

Think of it as a balance where each branch has its own job, and they can check or overlap with each other to keep power from concentrating. That’s why this term fits best for describing the division of power among three branches.

For contrast, checks and balances describes how those branches interact to keep each other in check, but the core idea asked about is the division itself. Federalism is about power sharing between national and state governments, and popular sovereignty is the principle that the people are the ultimate source of governmental authority.